Wildlife/Bird Photography Workshops

I have spoken to Marcus Conway who runs ebirder link here http://ebirder.net/default.aspx about a photography workshop on The Isle of Mull Scotland. I have booked on on the Eagles/Otters tour after a good chat with Marcus and checking the images in the blog some of which are superb.  Marcus has also had awards for his wildlife photography more information on his blog. So really looking forward to this trip and if anyone else is interested book soon as there are only a couple of places left.

My Initial D3s settings for Bird/Wildlife Photography

Ok here are my inital settings for the Nikon D3s. These are only initial they will get changed as I get used to the camera and all its functions but this is my starting configuration if you like. These settings were used on the images in the post post prior to this. Next time out I am toying with the idea of activating the Auto ISO to give me a minimum shutter speed of 1/750 or 1/1000.

I will shoot in A mode Aperture Priority Auto
To focus I will use the AF-On button only set via Custon Function a5 (This means the shutter button will calculate exposure and take the picture only).
Metering, I set to Matrix
Release mode, I set to CH Continuos High
AF mode, I set to C Continuos Servo
AF Area selector I start with it set to single point AF, I will then use Dynamic Area AF or Auto Area AF depending on the subject/movement and background
ISO I will set at 400 (ISO 200 should be used for optimal performance form the D3s sensor) and increase as the light levels drop.
White Balance WB I will set accordinly, however should it be a typical UK day where sun goes in/out at an annoying rate I will leave it set to zero
Image quality, I always shoot raw
14 bit lossless compression
Picture Control set to neutral
Colour Space Adobe RGB

Custom Functions I have changed from default.

a4,  I have selected AF 1 (short)  I might select this to off in the future, I could see this being useful in surfing photography where waves sometimes cross in front of the subject. But for BIF I think this is just another calculation that the AF system could do without processing.

a5 I have selected Af ON  only , this ensures AF can only be activated via the AF on button.  I think this really helps when your trying to focus especially on subjects flying across busy backgrounds, it is a new method for me and takes some getting used to but I think its better as I can make the decision where the AF starts/finishes (so long as I can keep the AF point(s) on the moving subject)

a7 Wrap, for me it is the quickest way to move around AF point selection

a8 I have set this to AF11 on this assumption this is a quicker way of moving across the AF points, I don't think it affects af points/area activation

b1, I have set to 1/2 step (just my preference)

b3  I have set to 1/2 EV (just my preference)

b4 On (auto reset) expourse compensation is set via the command dial without pressing the +/- button but resets to zero when the metering system de-energises.

d2 Both set to 9 fps

Feedback and suggestions are welcome and I will update as I go along. Please point out any glaring errors etc, it best for everyone if we share on information and experiences with these innovative camera's.

Testing the Nikon D3s

Finally had a decent test of the Nikon D3s in low light with custom settings which I put in last night. Overall it is a fantastic low light level camera with an AF system that doesn't seem fazed by the low light either, it just keeps nailing the subjects. (providing my tracking technique is spot on) I will post more on my findings later this week with some unedited image examples.  As it is late now onto todays images:

Kingfisher with fish at Hayle

Mistle Thrush? at Marazion first one of these I have seen for a while.

Snipe disturbed by a Sparrowhawk which was patrolling the Marsh

Swan

Stonechat in great evening light, this is really worth enlarging

Kingfisher at Marazion after Hayle and Stithians

Up early today forecast sunshine with odd shower. I was greeted with a torential downpour on opening the curtains. Thought bugger this still going out. Got to Hayle which was windswept so not much happening there. Around to Marazion again windy, so off home for dinner. Then set off for Stithians again very quiet so headed off back to Marazion. Sunny with no wind, at last. Well the sunny bit lasted about ten minutes!!! At Marazion today Waterrail, Kestrel, Kingfisher, Sparrowhawk, Bittern and thousands of starlings at dusk which was again a great spectacle to watch.  Todays pictures:

Wren at Stithians Southern Cut Off

Buzzard doing a nice fly past at Marazion

Kingfisher (he was using the post to stun the fish before gulping them down

KF again, but shot with much higher ISO settings as the light was rubbish. This KF was using the post yesterday and today so anyone which a digiscope and some luck should be able to get some great shots.

Late Afternoon in Marazion

After photographing a surf competition at Perranuthoe, which was rubbish due to the lack of surf, I headed to Marazion to finish off the day.
Blinded by the sun a Perranuthoe but mostly clouded out at Marazion only 2 miles away (sods law) Anyway pleased I got the Kingfisher on the post to prove it does occasionally land there. Also had the opportunity to test the low light level performance of the Nikon D3s which was good as following today with some exposures using ISO 3200 I now have the confidence to push it further. Onto the images:

Kingfisher on the depth post

Mallards during a glimpse of sunlight

Kingfisher leaving the water, missed his quarry.

Heron in the reeds.

Marazion and Stithians today

Still quiet and not much happening at all. While six million people chased and harrased the American Bittern at Zennor, I decided to photograph the Uk one at Marazion. It did a short flight today of its own accord and I managed to get one shot. A Wren also gave me the opportunity to photograph one of them also, first for a while. At Stithians I managed to get one of the Great Spotted Woodpecker. Had a quick look from the main hide, nearest bird was a Lapwing approximatly a mile away, really need some water in here to increase the levels. Onto todays images:

Stonechat posing well.

Wren spotted in the gorse

UK Bittern at Marazion

GS Woodpecker at Stithians